Death Angel - Varsity Theater - Minneapolis MN - November 30th 2025

Death Angel live at The Varsity Theater

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

The Varsity Theater was already buzzing long before Death Angel took the stage, and a lot of that energy came from Misfire, who opened the night with a set that felt far bigger than an opener slot usually allows. If anyone walked in expecting a warmup band, they learned quickly that Misfire came to detonate.

Misfire hit the stage with no buildup, just a punch of sharp thrash riffing that immediately snapped the crowd to attention. Their sound was tight, fast, and aggressive — old-school thrash roots with a modern edge. The guitars locked into riff patterns that felt like they were carved from steel, while the drums were relentless, keeping everything at a full sprint without ever becoming sloppy.

The chemistry between the band members really showed. They weren’t just performing; they were locked in, feeding off each other and the room. Minneapolis crowds are known for being enthusiastic metal listeners, and Misfire had them head-banging within the first minute.

The vocals were gritty but controlled — the kind of delivery that feels raw without losing clarity. You could actually understand the lyrics, which made the heavier moments hit even harder. During the more intense sections, the crowd started pushing forward, clearly into it despite this being just the opener.

Misfire’s setlist leaned heavily into high-tempo tracks designed to shake the room awake. Standouts included:

A crushing mid-set track built around a galloping riff that got the first real pit of the night moving.
A slower, chug-heavy piece that let the band show off their groove metal influences.
A closer that exploded into a full-speed thrash assault, ending their set on a high note and earning loud cheers from a crowd that rarely cheers that hard for the opener.

By the time they left the stage, people around me were saying things like “Damn, those guys were good,” and “How have I not heard them before?”

Misfire’s style made them an ideal opener for Death Angel. They brought the speed, the heaviness, and the attitude needed to set the tone for a night of Bay Area-style thrash. Their performance didn’t feel like filler — it felt like the start of a full, cohesive metal experience.

Lions at the Gate stepped onto the stage, and they made sure the night kicked off with more than just warm-up energy. For a band still carving their identity but carrying the pedigree of seasoned musicians, their performance felt confident, polished, and musically explosive — the perfect gateway into a thrash-heavy night.

Lions at the Gate opened with a surge of atmospheric guitars and immediately snapped into a massive wall of sound. Their blend of groove metal, melodic hooks, and metalcore aggression created a dynamic contrast to the pure thrash that would come later with Death Angel.

From the very first note, it was clear the band wasn’t there to simply open — they were there to announce themselves.

The vocalist came out swinging, balancing harsh screams with clean, emotional choruses that filled the room. The Varsity’s acoustics worked in their favor: the cleans soared, and the harsher vocals hit with a satisfying bite.

One of the standout features of their performance was the switch between melodic atmosphere and crushing heaviness — something that kept the crowd engaged even if they were hearing the band for the first time.

The dual guitars were tight all night, moving from chunky down-tuned riffs to sharp, melodic leads. The solos were tasteful but intense, and the layered harmonies brought an unexpectedly lush feel to some of the heavier tracks.

There was a mid-set song where the riffing shifted into a rolling, almost tribal momentum that got the crowd moving — the first serious headbanging of the night.

Despite being the opener, Lions at the Gate commanded the stage with confidence. The vocalist worked the front row, giving nods and high-energy callouts:

“Minneapolis, you awake yet?”
“Let’s make this pit worth it!”

And to the band’s credit, the crowd responded. A pocket-sized mosh pit formed during the last two songs, and the band fed off that energy.

When Vio-Lence hit the stage at the Varsity Theater, it felt less like an opening set and more like someone had yanked the fire alarm in the room. The crowd, already warmed up and ready for a night of thrash, got exactly what they came for: speed, attitude, and old-school Bay Area aggression delivered with zero hesitation.

The moment Vio-Lence walked out, the room snapped to attention. No frills, no buildup — just a quick greeting, a count-off, and they were off like a bomb going off. Their trademark speed and razor-sharp riffing immediately filled the venue, reminding everyone why they’re one of the genre’s cult legends.

The Varsity Theater’s sound system handled them surprisingly well: loud, raw, and gritty, but clear enough that every riff still cut through like barbed wire.

Jerry Birr’s snarling, unfiltered, totally in the pocket — sounded fantastic. His delivery had that perfect balance of punk sneer and thrash force, and you could tell he wasn’t just performing; he was inhabiting every lyric.

Between songs he cracked a few quick jokes, gave Minneapolis a shoutout, and kept the pace moving. This was a no-nonsense, high-impact set from start to finish.

Vio-Lence’s guitar work was the highlight of the night. The riffs were fast, tight, and vicious, with that classic Bay Area swing that gives their music a groove underneath all the chaos. The leads were sharp, the tremolo picking was furious, and the tone was pure thrash grit.

There was a moment mid-set when the rhythm section locked into a rapid-fire chugging pattern and the crowd erupted — heads banging, fists in the air, the first true pit of the evening forming dead center.

Even though they weren’t the headliner, you could tell a chunk of the crowd came specifically for Vio-Lence. There were patches of fans wearing old shirts, shouting along to choruses, and firing off devil horns before the band even kicked into the first song.

By their third track, the pit had grown into a proper swirl — not massive, but intense and full of that “Minneapolis winter pent-up energy.”

Vio-Lence did exactly what a great opener should do — elevate the room, loosen the crowd, and prepare everyone for the headliner without overshadowing them. But they didn’t feel like “just” an opening act. They felt like co-architects of the night’s energy.

Their raw aggression and classic thrash sound was the perfect contrast to Death Angel’s more polished, modernized take on the genre.

Vio-Lence lit up the Varsity Theater with a fast, furious, and unapologetically old-school thrash set that proved they still have the fire that made them legends. Whether you came for them specifically or were discovering them for the first time, their performance was unforgettable.

This wasn’t nostalgia — it was thrash at full power.

Last night, thrash legends Death Angel brought an electrifying set to Minneapolis’ Varsity Theater, delivering a performance that perfectly balanced nostalgia with new material. From the moment the first riff hit, the crowd was fully engaged — headbanging, fists pumping, and moshing with a contagious energy that filled the intimate venue.

Setlist & Performance:
Death Angel opened with high-octane tracks that immediately set the tone. Highlights included several songs from their classic Act III album, performed in full, showcasing the band’s tight musicianship and enduring thrash chops. Fan favorites like “Seemingly Endless Time” and “Stop” had the audience singing along, while newer tracks such as “Cult of the Used” added fresh intensity to the set. The band’s energy never waned, seamlessly blending precision with raw aggression.

Musicianship:
Guitarists Rob Cavestany and Ted Aguilar were on fire, trading riffs and solos with flawless timing. Drummer Will Carroll’s thunderous beats anchored the set, while bassist Damien Sisson added both groove and grit. Frontman Mark Osegueda commanded the stage effortlessly, his vocals powerful and dynamic, effortlessly balancing melody and thrash aggression.

Crowd & Atmosphere:
The Varsity Theater, known for its intimate layout, was the perfect setting for a night of thrash metal. Fans of all ages packed the floor, moshing and cheering throughout. The connection between the band and audience was palpable, with Mark Osegueda frequently engaging the crowd between songs, making everyone feel like part of the experience.

Conclusion:
Death Angel’s November 30th performance at Varsity Theater was more than just a concert — it was a celebration of their legacy and the enduring appeal of thrash metal. By honoring their past while showcasing new material, the band reminded everyone why they remain one of the genre’s most respected and exciting acts. For fans, it was a night to remember; for newcomers, an exhilarating introduction to the ferocity and skill of Death Angel live.

Rating: 9.5/10 – A flawless mix of nostalgia, precision, and energy that left the crowd buzzing long after the last chord.